When Frances Kayphoe settled in Australia after being forced to flee war-torn Myanmar, he wanted to give back to the community he now calls home.
So, he rolled up his sleeves and volunteered with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), where he now uses his experiences to ensure refugee communities remain prepared and informed during emergencies.
Mr Kayphoe arrived in Australia in 2015 after fleeing Myanmar due to ongoing civil conflict and instability.
“Myanmar has endured one of the longest civil wars in the world,” Mr Kayphoe said.
There was widespread poverty and hardship – it was unsafe and unsustainable to remain, prompting my move to Australia.”
In 2018, Mr Kayphoe joined the NSW SES Multicultural Liaison Unit based at Coniston, with a particular interest in engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
“Australia has given me and my family a lot of opportunities to grow together, and I wanted to give back within my capacity,” he said.
His passion for emergency public information developed after his involvement in cyclone and typhoon response efforts overseas, including Cyclone Nargis which devastated Myanmar in 2008.
“There was almost no public information about the cyclone’s intensity,” he said.
“As one of the first responders, I witnessed the gravity of the destruction – entire villages wiped out, families holding hands trying to escape unprecedented floods and bodies strewn across the .”
Now, as a member of the NSW SES Multicultural Liaison Unit, Mr Kayphoe works to support information sessions in his language and disseminate emergency updates on social media, ensuring key safety messages reach refugee communities.
“I understand the challenges refugees face – language barriers, recognition of overseas qualifications, and navigating complex systems, and I am committed to helping them overcome these obstacles,” he said.
Mr Kayphoe said he is proud to be part of the NSW SES and encouraged others from diverse backgrounds to put their hand up to volunteer.
“In contrast to what I’ve experienced overseas, Australia’s emergency management is highly proactive,” he said.
“The collaboration between SES volunteers and other emergency services in responding to natural disasters and supporting communities' post-disaster is truly exceptional and something I am proud to be part of.”
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on 20 June and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
Find out more about World Refugee Day 2025 by visiting the UNHCR website here.